I've been treated for Bipolar Disorder for years, which is being treated with Depakote and Lamictal.

I still have these odd symptoms, however, that I find difficult to describe to my psychiatrist and am sometimes ticked off that he doesn't know what I'm talking about.

Odd Symptoms:
Strange feelings of deja vu and jamais vu
Unexplained flashes of having a "nervous stomach."
Perceptual changes (often accompanied by panicky feelings) while driving through lots of sun flickering through the trees-- like all of a sudden the road looks like I've never driven down it and the houses look brand new.

I'm thinking I may need to come off of my low-dose of Wellbutrin (known to lower seizure threshold) and see a neurologist to discuss my anti-convulsant dosages.

I wish neurologists and psychiatrists would talk to each other, for gosh sake! Anyone experience a similar overlap?

Ron,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Sorry to hear what you are going through at this time. Then you to go on with these signs check with an Epileptologist (Dr. specializing in epilepsy) at an Epilepsy Center which are usually at University or large hospitals. I was lucky to go to one, there it didn't cost as much, because of the credit of the medicine because it was a school of medicine.

Your need to cut out the carbs and starch foods because they will trigger seizures. Start keeping track of your seizures by writing them down on a calendar, by doing this the Dr. may see a pattern in your seizures. Get yourself on vitamin B12 500 mcg. once a day. Also avoid very bright light, like at a theater, the flashing can bring on a seizure. Just close you eyes and turn your head at that time.

One other thing I would like to say is it will be much better to not drive while you are going through this. I have not ever driven but since I had surgery I have not had a seizure since then and I am in the process of getting it, because I feel save.

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hi wwebby,

Welcome to the forum! What Darlene told you is 100% correct see an Epileptologist. I have had epilepsy for 41 yrs. now and what you are explaining is what is called a simple partial (aura) sz. when you get the nervousness in your stomach along with seeing colors in your eyes.

If you go to an Epilepsy Center and see an Epileptologist there will also be a neuropsychiatrists or neuropsychologist there who will work with the Epi and they can tell what's going on in your brain after doing simple tests on you. I had to go through this before I had brain surgery done to reduce my sz. My advice to you is to see these Drs. along with having a DNA test done because the DNA test will show what sz. meds will work the best for you with the least side effect.
Depression is all part of having epilepsy so you may not have bi polar problems at all it may just be the epilepsy and the meds (AED's) you are taking along with the area of your brain that's triggering your sz. that's causing this depression. Especially if it is coming from the right temporal lobe because that's the area of the brain that shows great emotion. I wish you only the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

Sue, have a question for ya. had a friend ask me about something, and the only thinks i could come up with were hypoglyemia and sz. he was driving down the road, and suddenly saw "arches" in his vision, not halos, just the shape of rainbows, but white. did not progress into a migraine. and cleared in a few minutes. Scared the ---- out of him. ever hear of this as a sz?
his only access to health care is very limited.

Hi pabb,
What you are describing sounds like a possible aura (simple partial) sz. that your friend had. This happens when a person starts to see different colors for no reason or they might smell strange odours along with sometimes hearing a voice speaking when there's nobody really talking.
The only other thing I can think of is that if your friend was around a lot of bright lights and the lights triggered a sz. this is when a person is photosensitive. Ask your friend if they felt tired or confused after this happened and if they did they should speak to the Dr. and let them know that they may have had a sz. I wish you and your friend the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

Pabb

I wanted to tell you I agree with Sue, it sounded just like a simple partial seizure. And it really is important even if they have limited access to doctors that they try to get in to see one.

If they can't afford medicine, they can let the doctor know because some of
the seizure medicines can be gotten through programs that either have low cost or are free.

Donna